Health
Red Cross Calls for Lasting Peace as 300 Displaced Families in Miango Receive Relief Support
About 300 families in Miango community of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, have received ₦100,000 cash and essential household materials from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), to help them rebuild their lives after recent violent attacks displaced many residents.
The relief distribution, held on Tuesday, November 11, was both emotional and hopeful as displaced families gathered to receive items including mats, mosquito nets, blankets, aqua tabs for water purification, cooking utensils, buckets, soap, and ATM cards preloaded with ₦100,000 each.
Razaki Unusa, the Team Lead and Plateau State Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), said:
“The Red Cross is an organization with the vision to help humanity, giving a hand to those who can’t help themselves. We are here in Bassa LGA to give relief to victims of attacks, and the beneficiaries consist of those who are mostly affected like the pregnant women, widowed, aged persons, persons with disability, those who have lost all members of their family and so on.
Before we brought this relief, we were able to interact with them to know what they need most and the best way we can come in. We realized that most of them have lost their homes and don’t have where to sleep, that’s why we provided the mats, blankets, and mosquito nets. There’s also the issue of water, which is why we provided them with aqua tabs so that they can drink clean water, and a stipend of ₦100,000 that they can use to settle other things we were not able to provide.
This is the little we can do with the help of our funding partner, the IFRC. From this intervention, we have been able to see the end result of conflict, how it affects people, and how much people in conflicting areas need support. But we can only do this much, so we are calling on the international community together with the government to initiate peace and see how peaceful coexistence can take preeminence so that we don’t keep having people dealing with the consequences.”
Patience Adaje, Senior Officer, Nature-Based Solutions, IFRC, added:
“Our aim is to help the community, especially the displaced persons, to be able to recover from the losses and the displacement that they’ve gone through.”
Community leaders also expressed deep gratitude. Meangwa of Tegbe District, Sunday Yara, said:
“You know as leaders, when things like this happen, it pains you and you won’t know what to do—because is it to console your people or to mourn yourself? But Red Cross has found a way to console us.”
Another Meangwa of Tegbe, Tomos Ganson, noted:
“What has happened in our community is very painful. Almost everybody was affected and we don’t know what to do—houses burnt, farms destroyed. Now we are trying to build our lives again. These things given to us by Red Cross will really help all of us. Thank you, Red Cross, and we hope and pray that they reach out to other communities too, and that these killings should stop.”
Pastor Sunday Wollo of RCCG Tegbe also shared his experience:
“If you check our church, you will see it empty because these people came, killed us, attacked us. My church members were killed. The Bible said cry to the Lord and He will send you help—and God has sent us Red Cross. Even though it won’t bring back all we have lost, it will help us to get by. Many have lost their homes, properties, and families. At least with this mat, they have what to lie on and money to eat.”
Similarly, Pastor Zanfara Zerechi of Ancha District said:
“I lost my only son to this unprovoked attack. He was killed in broad daylight on his way to the farm. He left behind his wife and son for me to take care of, and it hasn’t been easy at all. So I want to thank Red Cross for providing for us. This ₦100,000 is going to help a lot.”
Two other beneficiaries, Ladi Sunday from Tegbe District and Jumia Barry from Ancha District, said they were “the happiest” since the attacks, as they had not had any sense of direction until this intervention. Jumia explained that her elder brother, who was their breadwinner, was killed. The two women were seen dancing and singing throughout the process, even before receiving their relief items, and even more after collecting theirs.
The CRC Community Resilience Corps Committee Leader, Sunday Tsi, said:
“When Red Cross came to our community, they told us they wanted to help us and gave us categories of people—that is, displaced persons like the aged, nursing and lactating mothers, pregnant women, persons with disability, and widowed orphans. So they gathered those people, listened to them, asked them some questions, and then did capturing of the most affected. And today they are here as promised. We are really grateful that they carried us along in the process.”
Grace Sunday from Tegbe District narrated her painful experience:
“My mother and the girl staying with me were burnt to death in the first attack. Then, in another attack, I lost my husband, and my daughter’s hand was cut off. Our land was destroyed and it has not been easy for us at all. I will use this money to start a business. I’m so grateful to Red Cross and to God for bringing you. May you continue to prosper.”
Another excited beneficiary, Mary Moses, who took a selfie after receiving her package, said:
“During one of the attacks, my mother and father were killed and since then I have been on my own. So I’m very happy. I’m going to use everything well. I will do business and try to go to school. Thank you, Red Cross, I’m very happy. This number you gave us—when we call it, it will be to say thank you, not for anything bad, only good news. Thank you oh!”
Gastos Sunday also expressed appreciation, saying:
“What happened to us is not to our liking, and that’s why sometimes when they bring things like this to us, you see us crying because we remember our losses. If this wickedness was not done to us, then we wouldn’t be receiving this. But we are indeed very grateful to Red Cross. When they first came and told us they would help, some of us did not believe, but they kept to their words and today they brought all these. We are very grateful. Thank you very much. May God provide for all the international people helping us and the Nigerian Red Cross and all you people helping—thank you. We also pray that these attacks won’t happen again.”
Laraba Yohanna said:
“I have no one. I lost my parents and children in these attacks. Now I have no one. But today, with the help of Red Cross—ah Red Cross thank you. I thank you, where you are taking from will not dry. Thank you.”
Other beneficiaries, including Afiniki Joseph, Mats Danladi, Asebe James, and Eve Barry, also prayed fervently for the Red Cross team in appreciation.
The Community Engagement Accountability (CEA) Focal Point for the Plateau Branch noted that:
“The beneficiaries of this intervention are indeed the most affected displaced persons. Most are displaced, but there are some that are so honorable, and the relief given to them are indeed things needed by these displaced persons, which can be seen from their excitement. The distribution process has been orderly, sincere, and smooth so far, with cooperation from the people and the Red Cross.”
Finally, Gift Reshi Azamu, a volunteer with the NRCS, said:
“It’s been a privilege to work with the Nigerian Red Cross Plateau Chapter, and so far, this has helped me to relate more with the issues that come with conflict. You know, most times you hear about these attacks on radio and television, but you still don’t get it. Having come here and seen these communities, I’ve learnt that choosing peace is the best because these people are going through a lot. But today I can also say that this intervention is indeed very helpful. Look at the smiles on their faces—they were even dancing earlier, some even crying. So I hope more of these interventions keep coming. Yes, humanity first, and we really appreciate Red Cross. It’s an honor working with them.”
Health experts have advised that all candidate treatments and vaccines for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus should be used exclusively within clinical trials to ensure safe, ethical, and effective research.
A statement made available on Thursday said that the experts were convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to it, the recommendation comes in response to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with additional cases reported in Uganda, and follows assessments by multiple WHO experts and advisory groups.
“WHO convened meetings with its Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint technical advisory groups on candidate vaccines and therapeutics for Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) to evaluate options for both prevention and treatment.
“In parallel, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation and its Ebola vaccine working group reviewed the potential role of licensed Ebola vaccines during BVD outbreaks,” it said.
The statement said that there are currently no licensed therapeutics or vaccines specifically approved for the prevention and treatment of BVD, though several candidate products were identified as promising enough to prioritise for clinical trial evaluation.
It noted that for treatment of confirmed BVD cases, independent experts recommended prioritising three candidates: the monoclonal antibodies MBP134 and Maftivimab®, and the antiviral remdesivir.
“Combination therapy using a monoclonal antibody and remdesivir was also recommended for evaluation in research settings.
“For prevention, the oral antiviral obeldesivir was identified as a priority candidate for post-exposure prophylaxis among contacts of confirmed and probable cases,” it said.
According to it, experts noted that post-exposure prophylaxis with obeldesivir depends on effective contact tracing, which remains operationally challenging in some affected areas of the DRC.
It said the most promising vaccine candidate is the single-dose rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine being developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, though it is expected to require 7–9 months before it is ready for clinical trial assessment.
It said that another candidate, ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo from Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India, could potentially be available within two to three months for efficacy testing, pending additional animal data.
“Experts suggested a single-dose approach for contacts of cases, while a two-dose strategy might be considered for high-risk but unexposed populations such as health-care workers and frontline responders.
READ ALSO: Ebola: WHO says conflict, mistrust hindering response as suspected cases top 900 in DRC
“The groups also reviewed Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, which is approved for outbreaks caused by the most common Ebola virus in Africa but is not licensed for BVD and lacks conclusive evidence of cross-protection,” it said.
The statement said that the WHO recommended that Ervebo should not be used outside carefully designed research settings to allow its performance against BVD to be properly assessed.
“WHO, the governments of the DRC and Uganda, Africa CDC, ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases, and other partners are now working to develop protocols for clinical field trials.
“While continuing to rely on established Ebola response measures like surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, testing, community engagement, and safe burials to stop transmission,” it said. (NAN)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned healthcare workers nationwide to heighten surveillance and preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), citing a “high” risk of importation into Nigeria due to ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The agency, however, said Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case linked to the current regional outbreak as of 28 May.
In a public health advisory issued on Thursday, the NCDC said the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), rising infections in neighbouring African countries, and increased cross-border movement have raised concerns about Nigeria’s vulnerability.
The advisory highlights concerns over delayed detection, healthcare-associated transmission, and the vulnerability of frontline health workers if the virus enters Nigeria.
“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever,” the agency stated.
It said high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs and points of entry had already been identified through its national risk assessment.
Existing outbreak response systems
The NCDC said Nigeria still retains important outbreak response structures developed after previous viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, including the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which was successfully contained in Lagos.
According to the agency, the country currently maintains laboratory capability, trained rapid response teams, Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), established Viral Haemorrhagic Fever preparedness systems, and prior outbreak response experience.
However, it admitted that existing systems require constant review and strengthening.
It also warned healthcare workers that Ebola patients or suspected cases could present at health facilities anywhere in Nigeria.
“The key operational question is therefore how healthcare workers should recognise, respond to, and safely manage such situations,” it said.
The agency stressed that healthcare workers remain one of the most vulnerable groups during Ebola outbreaks because of direct exposure during patient care.
Symptoms
The agency warned that Ebola symptoms may initially resemble several common illnesses frequently seen in Nigerian hospitals, increasing the risk of delayed recognition.
It listed malaria, typhoid fever, Lassa fever, gastroenteritis, COVID-19, influenza, sepsis and other severe bacterial infections among illnesses with symptoms similar to Ebola.
According to the advisory, Ebola has an incubation period of two to 21 days.
Early symptoms may include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea. While severe illness may involve unexplained bleeding, organ dysfunction, confusion, shock and collapse
Patients with non-specific febrile illness could initially appear similar to people suffering from more common diseases, “potentially delaying recognition and increasing exposure risk within healthcare settings.”
No approved vaccine
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for the 2014 West African epidemic.
The Bundibugyo virus is a Risk Group 4 pathogen and one of the less common Ebola virus strains.
“Unlike the Zaire strain, there are currently no approved vaccines or specific antiviral therapies for Bundibugyo virus disease,” the agency said.
The absence of approved vaccines or targeted therapies could complicate response efforts if infections are detected in Nigeria.
Ebola not airborne
The agency clarified that Ebola is not considered an airborne disease under normal circumstances.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, organs, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
The advisory listed vomit, diarrhoea, urine, saliva, sweat, breast milk and semen among infectious body fluids capable of transmitting the virus.
The agency warned that transmission risk is highest when infected patients become symptomatic and actively produce infectious body fluids.
It added that healthcare-associated transmission remained a major concern during Ebola outbreaks, citing reports by the WHO of infections and deaths among healthcare workers linked to gaps in infection prevention and control measures.
READ ALSO: FG releases names of 21 states, FCT at high risk of Ebola infection – FULL LIST
Hospital surveillance
The NCDC directed healthcare facilities to strengthen triage systems for early identification and isolation of suspected cases.
It urged workers to maintain “a high index of suspicion,” especially among persons with recent travel history to affected countries or epidemiological links to confirmed or suspected cases.
It also asked them to carefully assess patients’ travel history, exposure history, contact with sick persons, and attendance at burial or funeral activities where relevant.
It advised hospitals to minimise unnecessary exposure while ensuring safe clinical care.
It also asked the healthcare workers to strictly implement infection prevention and control measures at all times, including hand hygiene before and after patient contact, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe injection practices.
Others are environmental cleaning and disinfection, safe waste segregation and disposal and safe handling of laboratory specimens.
It further asked to avoid direct contact with blood or body fluids without PPE, prevent needle-stick injuries, follow safe burial guidance, and ensure proper decontamination of equipment and surfaces.
In addition, the health workers are instructed to promptly report occupational exposure incidents and participate in refresher infection prevention and preparedness training programmes.
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